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The castle-like dzongs with their gently tapering walls, classic
lines, large courtyards and beautiful galleries are among the
finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. Containing large
monasteries, these impressive buildings, set in commanding
positions on hilltops or at the confluence of rivers, are also
the administrative centers of their regions. Small fortresses
called Ta dzongs (literally meaning watchtowers) overlook the
main buildings and were built for defense. The most common
architectural sight in Bhutan, however, is not these majestic
buildings, but chortens or stupas, which are small shrines built
originally to house sacred relics.
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